Evidencia molecular de transmisión transplacentaria de Anaplasma marginale en becerros neonatos cebú de Venezuela

Anaplasma marginale is the most prevalent protobacteria in cattle worldwide. This pathogen multiplies in the erythrocytes and endothelium causing a hemolytic disease called anaplasmosis, which in its acute phase is accompanied by anemia, weight loss and even death. It is assumed that the organism is transmitted biologically by ixodides, mechanically by haematophagous dipterans, iatrogenically or by transplacental transmission. In order to detect neonatal anaplasmosis in a Brahman herd of the Yaracuy State, Venezuela, blood samples were collected from 29 calves less than 24 hours old and their postpartum mothers. The DNA obtained from 58 samples was subjected to a nested PCR (nPCR) specifi c for the diagnosis of Anaplasma spp. In addition the serum